GP duo ‘giving as much back to the community as possible’

Moving to Australia from Scotland in 2023 with nothing but their suitcases was no smooth landing for husband-and-wife GP couple, Dr Neida Amin and Dr Mutaz Amin.
 
Fast forward 18 months later, and the couple are soaking up their new lives after receiving the support needed to settle to a new country, including being recently awarded Fellowship of the RACGP (FRACGP) at a ceremony in Perth at GP24.
 
‘Starting fresh as well as helping our children settle into a new life and having to study was a difficult time for us,’ Neida told newsGP.
 
‘Therefore, achieving FRACGP is more of an acknowledgment of both ours and our children’s hard work. It is such an important and proud milestone in our career.’
 
The couple met in 2004 during their first year at Glasgow University Medical School.
 
After Mutaz finished his general practice training in 2014 and Neida in 2018 after taking time out for maternity leave, they both worked as GPs in Glasgow until moving to Western Australia in May last year. 
 
Since then, Mutaz completed his Fellowship in six months while Neida nine months due to working part time.
 
With two children aged 10 and 12, Neida says the family have settled into the seaside life in Rockingham, 30 minutes south of Perth, where the GP parents both work at local clinics, Palm Springs Medical Centre and Rockingham City Family Practice.  
 
Their patient population mostly consists of elderly patients with a varied mix of children, women and men’s health, as well as mental health. Both have found many benefits in the health system processes compared to the UK system.
 
‘We are loving the newfound autonomy in practising medicine in Australia having access to so many tests and imaging to be able to provide efficient, good quality care to our patients,’ Neida said.
 
‘The main difference is having quick access to more imaging and pathology requests, which help us to diagnose and treat more conditions rather than having to refer to a specialist or refer after doing the full work up.
 
‘Whereas the NHS system in the UK is all public, therefore waiting times for pathology, imaging and specialist waiting times is so much longer.’
 
As part of the RACGP’s ongoing efforts to ensure overseas-trained doctors receive wraparound support when adjusting to a family life and navigating a new healthcare system, Neida and Mutaz were linked with mentors and colleagues upon their arrival in Australia.
 
‘We are grateful for our supervisor was always happy to answer any of our questions and help us navigate investigations and referrals in a new healthcare system, as well as answer queries about Medicare billings,’ Neida said.
 
‘Our practices were very supportive in helping us settle, answer any questions and fill our books. We were also allocated a mentor by the RACGP who provided some extra help … and had a network of colleagues in similar positions who provided a lot of help.’


Husband and wife GP duo Drs Mutaz and Neida Amin love the outdoor lifestyle their new town of Rockingham, WA has to offer. (Image supplied)

And with securing a good work–life balance the most important thing for the family, Neida said the support from their community plays a big part.
 
‘Moving to Australia has been the best decision we’ve ever made and wish we had come sooner,’ she said.
 
‘We have seen how much there is on offer in WA, especially for young kids. There are so many parks and wonderful playgrounds around … and they love the beaches.
 
‘Everyone has been so welcoming and appreciative of our work, and we really enjoy giving as much back to our community as possible.’
 
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